Victims of rape and sexual violence are to get additional specialist support across Kent .

The Police and Crime Commissioner Matthew Scott has secured more than £240,000 from the Ministry of Justice to fund four Independent Sexual Violence Advisors.

Half of this money has been awarded to Family Matters to help victims of gang-related abuse. The organisation is based in Gravesend but helps victims across Kent.

Mr Scott said: "Conversations around gangs and county lines often centre on knives, drugs, and violent crime. But a further, sometimes forgotten, side-effect is the sexual exploitation these gang members subject vulnerable people to.

"Young women and girls, and sometimes young men and boys, believe they are in relationships when in fact they are victims of gang-related abuse. Those in the care system are especially vulnerable.

"Their innocence is the hidden price drug-users pay for a weekend high."

Kurt Trevillion, from Family Matters, explained how the PCC-funded ISVA service previously helped one terrified victim of gang-related sexual violence in Medway.

He said: "This particular victim – a teenage girl – had recently moved in to live with foster parents for her own safety, and to mitigate against reprisals from the gang members. She had learning difficulties and mental health issues, and felt extremely fearful of being located by the gang and having to face the repercussions.

"Our ISVA met with her and her foster family to assess the situation. Initially she did not feel ready to make a report to police, but later she felt able and ready to proceed to trial and our ISVA was on hand to support them."

The other half of the PCC-secured funding has been awarded to East Kent Rape Crisis Centre, for ISVAs to help students at Kent’s universities and colleges.

A nationwide study found 62% of students had experienced sexual assault. Kent has a large student population with almost 30,000 in the city of Canterbury alone.

Zoe Bell, director of East Kent Rape Crisis Centre, said: "Our specialist student ISVAs support all survivors of sexual abuse or rape – recent or non-recent. They offer emotional support and practical advice whether students are considering reporting to police or not, or if they are unsure what their next steps are.

"We are working closely with the universities and colleges’ wellbeing teams, including student unions, to help raise awareness on campus. We offer survivors a safe place to talk, helping to ensure they are fully supported whilst continuing their studies. In addition, the ISVAs facilitate weekly virtual zoom drop-in sessions in order to make the service accessible to everyone, particularly in the current climate."

The funding, totalling £240,802, ensures Family Matters and East Kent Rape Crisis Centre can both offer support tailored to individual victims’ needs until March 2022.

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